Sheffield Forgemasters signed a memorandum of understanding with Rolls-Royce SMR to jointly explore commercial mechanisms for a long-term collaboration on the supply of forgings to the Rolls-Royce UK Small Modular Reactor (SMR) fleet. The project directly supports the United Kingdom’s civil nuclear industry and the development of SMRs in the U.K., with Sheffield Forgemasters able to supply the complex nuclear-grade demonstrator forgings as part of the regulatory process.

According to Sheffield Forgemasters, it is well positioned to be a U.K. supply-chain partner in the delivery of complex, finished and semi-finished nuclear-grade components into the SMR build program. The company has invested in its defense-critical assets, including the provision of a new 13,000-metric-ton forging line and 19 state-of-the-art machining centers, to create much higher levels of manufacturing capability and efficiency for the benefit of defense nuclear work.

Rolls-Royce SMR was established to bring forward and deliver the next generation of low-cost, low- carbon nuclear power. When fully operational, the program will create 40,000 U.K. jobs, primarily across the North and Midlands where the majority of U.K. nuclear expertise is located.